Gripping rubber shoe-heel



H. C. EGERTON.

GRIPPING RUBBER SHOE HEEL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I8. ISIS..

1,352,734, Patented Sept. 14, 1920.

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GaIPrrNG RUBBER siren-HEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 14, 1920.

. ,Application led October 18, 1918.r Serial No. 258,743.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. EGERTON, a citizen ofthe United States, and resident of Ridgewood, county offBergen, State of New Jersey, have-made a certain new and useful invention Relating to Gripping Rubber Shoe-Heels, of which the following is a speciiication taken in connection with the accompanying` drawing.

rl'Chis invention relates especially to gripping rubber shoe heels having wearing surfaces largely composed of resilient vulcanized rubber compositions in which. arev embeddedl and securelyunited gripping and strengthening elements comprising fabric or other suitable fibrous or porous material containing cured phenolic vcondensation cementing material, such as bakelite, condensite or redmanol varnish compositions, for instance. Thesel elements may be convenientlycemcnted and secured to a stiffener o1 backing member of similar fabric which may form the .baseoffth'e heel and facilitate its union .with other shoe elements, or

where instead of being a separate heelthe heel element is united or formed integral with a shoesole this stiffeneror backing member may extend beneath the shank and other sewed portions and be united to the rubber elements thereof. These gripping .and stiffening members may advantageously comprise folded or' doubledportionsA of canvas or other suitable fabric arranged in any desired way within the vulcanized rub- -ber body of the heel to which they are securely cemented and united so that they have the desired gripping and wear-resisting action, and if desired metal plates or elements may be incorporated and united to the heel preferably by embedding them in such fabric stiffener members to which they may be securely' cemented and united by the incorporated cured phenolic condensation cementing material. Y

In the accompanying drawing showing in a somewhat diagrammatic way illustrative embodimentsv of this invention,

Figure l is a-perspective view partly in section showing one form ofhe'el which may be attached to a shoe sole.

Fig. 2 is aY planview showing the fabric blank which may be used for producing the same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the assembled fabric members for such a heel.

Fig. 4; is a perspective view showing another form of heel having spirally arranged gripping members. l

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section thereof.

Fig. 6 shows amethod -by which such heels may be made; and

Figs. 7 to l2 arepartial sectional views showing other heel constructions.

As shown in Fig. l, the heel member which may of course be a separate heel or attached to other shoe sole portions, such as l, may comprise the body 3 of vulcanized rubber composition of any desired character preferably having such proportions of the .ingredients as to be relatively resilient and given the desired toughnessand wear resisting properties. If desired a backing 0r stiiener member 5 of canvas or other suitable heavy fabric may be used to support this heel and other canvas or woven or knit fabric of any suitable character, such as heavy army duck imay be united. to this backing member and may be formed with suitable folds or proj ecting' portions so as to project upward toward or to the wearing or tread surface 2 of the heel. As indicated a strip or layer 4l of such material which preferably coated or quite thoroughly impregnated with suitable phenolic condensation cementing material, such as bakelite varnish No. l, and then after drying moderately heated to render it soft and pliable, may then be bent up or folded into the desired shape to form these projecting ribs or wear resisting folds such as 7, 8, 9. A convenient form ofblank for this purpose is shown in Fig. 2 and a series of folds 7, 8 may be made in such impregnated fibrous material by folding the same along the dotted lines il and 16 preferably after cutting or stamping out a portion le to facilitate this folding action. This of course reduces the area of the folded blank so that it assumes the curved dotted outline 13 shown in Fig. 2, the upstanding or projecting wearing folds or ribs, such as 7, 8, being preferably formed with junction holes, such as 9, 10, at suitable intervals to facilitate the -penetration of the vulcanized rubber composition which may be molded 'therewith and form connecting plugs oiV such material passing through the holes, see Figs. l and 3. If desired also a diagonal wearing fold or rib such as 9, may be formed conveniently by folding the blank on the dotted diagonal lines shown in Fig. 2 so as to form a diagonal rib 9 of generally similar height, the portion l5 of the blank being thereby Vretracted so that this layer 4 is substantially Y superimposed on the backing layer 5 of similar fabric which Ymay, if desired, be coated or impregnated withsuch cementing material. To facilitate the union of the rubber tothe fabric adjacent the saine this connected fabric may advantageously in some cases be formed with a frictionod or other rubber' coating 6 before it is coated or impregnated'with such phenolic condensation cementing material. lf desired also these wearing and gripping ribs or projections may be reinforced by suitable additional material Y preferably of a fibrous character and oneor more thicknesses of such inaterial as canvas or other fabric, paper or the like similarly coated or impregnated with such cementing material may be interposed between'sonie or all of these wearing folds or ribs described.

Vhenthe fabric is folded into such position as shown in Fig. 3, which may of course be conveniently effected by forcing the parts of the fabric Yinto the recesses of a suitable mold, it may be allowed to Vstiffen and harden by coolingl in such mold or by additional heating thereof the cementing inaterial may be at least partially cured preferably at moderate heats of 2G00 if. jor thereabout, which may affect the desirelV partial curing of the cementing material to stiffen and strengthen these projecting Aribs and secure, if desired, the additional backing stripor layer 5 thereto without unde-r sirably vnlcanizing or affecting the rrdlbeil` ized coating 6 thereon. The previously shaped heel body 3 of any suitable vulcanizable rubber `composition may then be assembled together with this fabric'stiffener Vand Abacking member in a suitable mold Vwhere the parts may be cured, vulcanized Vfsuflicient for this purpose with the usual of this description.

vulcanized rubber and Yceinenting materials Asv shown in Fig. 4l, arubber heel may in some eases be advantageously formed with a spiral or more or less closed curve form of heel sti'ening rib comprising one or more Lstrips or layers of fabric such as cloth, paper or other :fibrous material containing and preferably quite thoroughly impregnated with suchY phenolic `condensation cementing mate 1ial. VThe spirally arranged layers of such gripping and wearing member 2O mayA be interposed between the layers 17 of vulcanized rubber on the wearing heel surface 2 which may, if desired, be either a. separate heel orformed integral with the` shank or other portions l of a shoe sole. A conythese fabric members are incorlviorated it is desirable to form the fabric with suitable junction holes 26 and then the rubber layers or members may be applied on both sides of the fabric and rolled or pressed together 'to cause the union of these relatively soft plastic rubber layers through the holes, such connecting plugs of rubber greatly facilitating of course the strength of union of the parts. Such a composite fabric rubber strip may then be rolled up into spiral form as shown in Fig. 6 so that the eonrolutions Q() of fabric are suitably arranged and then after the roll of heel stock is of the desired size it may be severed along the dotted lines as by band knives so as to form pieces of the desired thickness which may be vulcanized, and if desired simultaneously united to a suitable connector and backing member, 1such as 18, 19, of fabric, together with an interposed cushioning strip or layer 2l. of similar rubber composition, if desired. rFliese parts may be assembled in a suitable mold and forced together under pressure at the desired heat to cause the curing and vulcanizing of these parts and their union into an integral heel member which is facilitated by forming the connector layer i8 with a rubberized coating (i as indicated in Fig. 5. lf desired also a inet-al reinforcing strip or member, such as '12, of steel, copper or other suitable metal may be incorporated in the heel to gire additional wear resisting or gripping action and a convenient way of effecting such incorporation is to interpose the metal reinforcement or strip between two such impregnated fabric strips preferably after the metal has been coated with a cured and adherent coating of balelite metal enainal or similar phenolic condensation cementing material having special adherence to metal. )t coating il-3l of this character facilitates the adherence of the impregnated fabric layers to the metal reinforcement when the parts are molded together as described and it is of course dcsirable to form junction holes le; in the metal to cooperate witlrthe holes 2G in the adjacent fabric as indicated in Fig. 5.

Otherforms of fabric or fibrous material impregnated with such phenolic condensation cementing material to the desired extent may be united or incorporated in rubl er heels to give the desired wear resisting and ll O .gripping action in connection with the ground. As indicated in Fig. 7, the heel having a body 27 of vulcanized rubber composition may have suitably spaced gripping pins or studs 30 formed of-lengths^of braided, woven or twisted cordor small rope impregnated with such dried phenolic condensation cementing material as balrelite varnish compositions and incorporated in the heel at suitable distances aroundits tread surface 2. These elements may be secured inposition in any suitable way, as for instance, by securely cementing them to one or more of the reinforcing or backing fabric layers 4, 5 during the molding and heat curing operation where such fabric layersk are ernployed in the heel. Another convenient way of forming gripping studs or members is shown in Fig. 8 in which the heel body'27 of vulcanized rubber may be vulcanized and united to the fabric layers 4, 5 having, if desired, a similar frictioned or rubber coating 6 thereon and folded or bent up into transverse or other gripping and wear resisting projections, as indicated. A transverse fold 45 is indicated adjacent the front part of the heel with which, if desired, a reinforcing strip or member 35 of similiarly impregnated fabric may be incorporated and a series of projecting studs or bosses 3l may be formed by stamping up the fabric into such form which may be easily effected With heavy knit cotton fabric, for instance, after its impregnation and drying and heat softening as previously described. The openings in suoli fabric may advantageously be filled with suitable fibrous or other porous material 32 containing or impregnated with dried phenolic condensation cementing material of this general character or with molding bakelite or other compositions which may be forced into these cavities while the fabric is in the mold and more or less secured in position by suitable heat and pressure which may be done at the same time that the backing fabric 5 is cemented in place and cemented to these fillings at the points 33. If desired` however, the vulcanized rubber heel body may be preliminarily formed with such depressions and the fabric directly stamped into the same and the stud filling or body material forced into place and the whole cured, vulcanized and united at a single heat. Fig. 9 shows another arrangement in which the connector fabric 4 may have holes or portions 34 stamped up therein so as to accommodate gripping and wearing pins or studs 30 of cord, rope or similar fibrous material impregnated with cementing material of this character so that the whole may be cured and united to the vulcanized rubber of the heel body at the same time that it is vulcanized under suitable molding conditions.

Big, l0 shows another arrangement in which the heel is formed with such gripping or ground engaging cavities 0f the golf cup type whichare provided with reinforcing members or liningsformed of one4 may as indicated be formed of several layers 37, 238 of impregnated knit or other heavy cloth or fibrous material which may be stamped up into such cup shape and have their edges trimmed ofi' and then be forced into engagement with a similarly impregnated or coated connector fabric 4 so that these parts may be cemented together and permanently united. rlhis may be effectively accomplished by forming the heel body of vulcanized rubber composition 27 with suitably spaced holes and Vthen forcing the previously shaped cup reinforcing members into these cavities by suitably flaring or conical plugs on one of the mold members so that they are positively held in this position and simultaneously forced against the rubber and other elements during the heat curing treatment which transforms the balteiite or other phenolic condensation material they contain into the permanently solid and stiff form desired to make them wear resistant. It is desirable to form these cup reinforcements with a relatively smooth inner surface which together with Vthe flaring shape of these members promotes their selfclearing action and facilitates the disengagement of dirt therefrom under service conditions. Generally similar reinforcements may as indicated in Fig. 1l be conveniently formed by severing suitable lengths 39 from previously impregnated tubular woven fabric, such as cotton hose fabric which may of course have a rough outer' surface provided with a frictioned or other rubber coating to facilitate union with the vulcanized rubber heel composition 27, if desired` These tubular reinforcing members may, if desired, be cemented to the similarly impregnated connector layer 4 so that this part of the connector forms the bottom 28 of the hollow reinforcing member or gripping cup when all the parts are cured, vulcanized and united in a. suitable mold. Fig. l2 shows a generally similar arrangement in which these hollow reinforcing members 39 filled with suitable material, and if desired, one or more of such members may contain fibrous or other wear resisting material 4l incorporated with the phenolic condensation cementing material of any suitable character', such as molding balrelite compositions.l ln this way ,increased wear resisting action can be secured l. Il. 0

Vinenting material up to tir atA thel back or .any other parts of the heel while other hollow members of this kind maybe filled vwith plugs or portions 4-.0 of vulcanized rubber composition generally similarto the heel body composition 27 so as'to have a more resilient action. It is of course understood that the vvear resisting action of such members may be regula-teder adjusted by controlling the proportion of cured lphenolic condensation ceinenting material they contain, since such gripping members `are harder and more resistant Yto Wear when used on relatively soft ground if they contain larger proportions of such ce- "ty per cent. or so of the Weight of the entire member. The stiffened fabric or fibrous backing member carrying or impregnated With such phenolic condensation cementing material. is highly desirable for rubber composition heels, Whether or not they comprise such incorporated special gripping or Wear resisting members. These fabric backing layers may be so strongly and securely united to the rubber sole body thatthey effectively prevent creeping or spreading and by properly molding the heel membersthis strong and relatively rigid backing member makes it possiblefor theheels to be accurately fitted to cooperating shoe sole elements and subsequent Warpingis of course minimized after the heels are nailed or otherwise secured. in

Y place by any suitable means.

This application is a continua-tion in part of my co-pending applications, Serials Nos. 237,858,1neainme a, 191s aaa 256,569. fata October 1,1918, thatis, it contains subjectmatter taken therefrom. This invention has been describedin Vconnection with a number of illustrative embodiments, forms, pi'oportions, elements, parts, shapes, materials,

compositions, and methods of preparation,-

production and use, tothe details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to Y be limited, since What is claimed as neiv and extending through said junction holes and a connected fabric stilfening and backing member carrying Vcured phenolic condensation cementing material.

2.' The rubber shoe lheel comprising a grip- Vping'heel rib formed of a composite fabric strip impregnated With cured phenolic condensation cenienting material and arranged transversely to the wearing surface of the. heel and provided with junction holes, vulcanized rubber composition forming the body of said heel and substantially sur rounding and vulcanized to said heel rib and forming connecting plugs extending through said junction holes and a connected fabric stifiening and backing` member.

3. The iublier shoe heel comprising a gripping heel rib formed of a fabric strip iinpregnated with cured phenolic condensation cementing material and arranged transversely to the wearing surface of the heel and provided with junction holes, vulcanized rubber composition forining the body of said heel and substantially surroiuiding and vulcanized to said heel rib and vtorming connectingplugs extending through said junction hole` and a connected fabril.A backing member.

4t. The rubber shoe heel comprising a gripping heel rib formed of a fabric strip impregnated with cured phenolic condensation cementing material. vulcanized rubber coniposition forming the body o't said heel and substantially surrounding` and vulcanized to said heel rib and a connected 'fabric backing member.

The rubber shoe heel comprisingl a spiral gripping heel rib formed of a coinposite fabric strip carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material' and air: nged transversely to the Weariiig surface of the heel and forming substantially rigid separated convolutions provided with junction holes. and interposed vulcanized rubber composition forming the body of said heel and substantially surrounding and vulcanized to said heel i'ib and forming connecting plugs extending through said junction holes.

G. The rubber shoe heel' comprising a spiral. heel rib formed of a fabric strip carryingcured pheueolic condensation ceinentingmaterial and extending adjacent to the Wearing surface of the lheel and torining substantially rigid separated convolutions provided with junction holes. and interposed vulcanized rubber composition forming the body 'of said heel and substantially surrouinling and vulcanized to said heel rib and forming connecting plugsy extending through said junction holes.

7. The rubber shoe heel comprising a spiral heel rib formed of a tabi'i'- strip carrying cured phenolic condeif-ation ecmenting material and extending adjacent to the wearing surface of thc heel` and interposed vulcanized rubber coiiipof-:itiion `torniing the body of said heel and vulcanized to said heel rib.

S. The rubber shoe heel comprising a spiral heel rib formed of a fabric strip. and extending adjacent to the wearing surface of the heel, and interposed vulcanized rubber llt) composition foi-mina` the body of said heel and vulcanized to said heel rib.

9. The rubber composition shoe heel having a gripping or Wear resisting member comprising fabric impregnated with cured phenolic condensation cementing and stiffening material and extending transversely toward the Wearing surface of the heel and provided with junction holes, a perforated metallic strip reinforcement incorporated in said member, vulcanized rubber composition forming the body of said heel and substantially surrounding and vulcanized to said member and forming connecting plugs eX- tending through said junction holes and a fabric stiifening backing member' carrying cured pheneolic condensation cementing material and comprising a rubberized connector layer and secured to said heel body.

l0. The rubber composition shoe heel having a gripping or Wear resisting member comprising fabric carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing and stiflening material and extending transversely toward the Wearing surface of the heel, vulcanized rubber composition forming the body of said heel and 'substantially surrounding and vulcanized to said member, and a fabric stiffening backing member ycarrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material and secured to said heel body.

l1. The composition shoe heel having a gripping or Wear resisting member comprising fibrous material carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing and stiifening material and eiztending transversely tovvard the Wearing surface of the heel and yieldable composition forming the body of said heel and secured to said member.

12. The rubber composition shoe heel comprising embedded and connected gripping Wear resisting members formed of fabric carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material and projecting toward the Wearing surface `of the heel and forming relatively rigid separated portions, and a metallic reinforcement incorporated in said members.

i8. The rubber composition shoe heel comprising an embedded and connected Wear resisting member formed of fibrous material carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material and projecting toward the Wearing surface of the heel.

lll. The composition slice heel comprising a connected Wear resisting member formed of porous material carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing material and projecting toward the Wearing surface of the heel.

l5. rThe rubber shoe heel comprising a spiral gripping heel rib formed of fabric strip impregnated with cured phenolic condensation cementing material and arranged transversely to the Wearing surface of the heel and forming separated convolutions, vulcanized rubber composition forming the body of said heel and substantially embedding and vulcanized to said heel rib and a composite fabric stifening backing member carrying cured phenolic condensation ceinenting and stiifening material and comprising a rubberized connector layer secured to said heel body and said backing member.

16. The rubber shoe heel comprising vulcanized rubber composition forming the body of said heel and a composite fibrous stiifening backing member carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing and stiffening material and comprising a rubberized connector layer secured to said heel body and said backing member. Y

l?. The rubber shoe heel comprising Vulcanized rubber compositionl forming the body of said heel and a fibrous stiening backing member carrying cured phenolic condensation cementing and stiifening material and secured to said heel body.

HENRY C. EGERTON. 

